Columbus OH vs Overland Park KS — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Overland Park
143,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Overland Park
36.6
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Overland Park
10.7%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Overland Park
4.9%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Overland Park
4.2%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Overland Park
12.6%
Overland Park +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 143,720 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.6 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 10.7% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 78.6% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 29.0% | 4.9% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.2% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.6% | Overland Park + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Overland Park
$61,860
Overland Park +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $112,232 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $48,655 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,860 | Overland Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 2.8% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 5.6% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 49.4% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Overland Park
$487,466
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $487,466 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 73.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Overland Park
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Overland Park
2174
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 449 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2174 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Overland Park
30.0%
Overland Park +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Overland Park
9.2%
Overland Park +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Overland Park
16.9%
Overland Park +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 30.0% | Overland Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.2% | Overland Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 12.8% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.2% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.9% | Overland Park + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 9.0% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Overland Park +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Overland Park
75.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Overland Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Overland Park + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Overland Park
22.4 min
Overland Park +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 22.4 min | Overland Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Overland Park. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Overland Park has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Overland Park scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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